New Kindergarten Launches With Focus on Outdoor Learning
3 September 2025
St Leonards has opened its new Kindergarten class, launched in August 2025 for 4-5 year olds. The initiative expands the school’s early years provision and welcomes new families to the community, with a particular emphasis on outdoor learning and a dedicated Beach School programme.
The Kindergarten offers a nurturing and stimulating environment for young children, supporting their early development and preparing them for future learning. Facilities include modern classrooms, an expansive outdoor play area and a range of resources designed to encourage creativity, exploration and social skills.
This innovative provision for 4-5 year olds is the only one of its kind in Scotland, operating as a dedicated year group in its own right. It bridges the space between starting school and preserving the importance of play in early learning. Children follow the internationally recognised IB Primary Years Programme Early Years Curriculum, delivered by a fully qualified Early and Primary Years specialist teacher and a classroom assistant. No other provision before P1 in Scotland is currently structured in this way.
A stand-out element of the Kindergarten is the Beach School programme, which takes advantage of St Leonards’ coastal setting. The programme offers hands-on learning experiences in a natural environment, encouraging children to explore their surroundings while developing key skills.
Head of St Leonards, Mr Simon Brian, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to open our new Kindergarten – a vibrant and inspiring space where young children will take their very first steps on a lifelong journey of learning. As a sector-leading IB World School, we believe that education begins with wonder, and our new Kindergarten brings that to life from day one. From the joy of discovery in the classroom to the freedom and adventure of our Beach School programme, children will thrive in an environment that nurtures curiosity, creativity and confidence. This is more than a starting point; it’s the beginning of something extraordinary.”
